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What's Your Scope for Tac Competition Bolt Gun?

C

CUSTOM1911FAN

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jul 30, 2007
147
1
San Antonio, TX
Howdy all,

Well, some of you may have seen my post over in bolt rifles, entitled: What's Your Recipe for Tac Competition Bolt gun? SO, I have a 6.5 Creedmoor rifle being built now.

Next, I need to begin looking for a scope that is well suited to the task. Now, recently, I saw a list of equipment that top shooters are using, and I saw that there were scopes from Schmidt & Bender, Vortex, and Premier, in the top 10. But it did not say which power and objective, they were running. So, my question is: do you really need 20plus power on the scope and a monstrous 56mm objective to be competitive? I learned on a 40mm obj Leupold Mk4 LRT M2 scope, and that ran great out to 1k on IPSC size steel targets. I don't really want to run a heavier scope than that-do I really need to? Can I get away with a 17 or 18 power scope? Leaning towards Premier, but I've had Schmidt and Bender and loved it, as well.

So, let's see what everyone is running, please. Oh, and if anyone is near San Antonio, Texas, let me know, maybe we can meet up and shoot some of the gear we are talking about.

Thanks!
 
Re: What's Your Scope for Tac Competition Bolt Gun?

I think one of the reasons those three scope makers were in the top ranks is because they all have FFP reticles. NF, S&B, Vortex are all nice scopes. FWIW, I';m running a Vortex Razor HD on my rifle and like it a lot.
I don't think you need 56mm, but in some low light stages it's nice. I borrowed a friend's 8-32NF and it was too much magnification, I felt better with it at or below around 20X.
YMMV, definitely try before you buy.


1911fan
 
Re: What's Your Scope for Tac Competition Bolt Gun?

I run a S&B 5-25x56. FFP and a good power range up to 20x would be my recommendation. Also a good reticle broken down to atleast .5 mils or 1 MOA depending on which you use. Having parallax adjust below 50 yards is nice too for the close in targets. I get all those in the S&B with the H2CMR reticle in it.
 
Re: What's Your Scope for Tac Competition Bolt Gun?

I was using a 5-25x56 Premier on my 300WM, awesome scope, but could never warm up to the XR reticle, so I sold it and will be transistioning to the S&B 5-25x56 with MSR reticle. Very seldom have I had the need to use either scope above 20X.

On my 308Win, I was using a S&B 4-16x50 with the Gen 2 XL MilDot reticle. Really like that reticle, but wish they would have offered it with the Premier version of the Gen 2 MilDot reticle since it has the small gap inside the first half-Mil hash mark. I have since installed a S&B 5-25x56 with MSR reticle on that rifle.

I prefer a 50mm objective for the lower profile, but they don't make the 5-25 with 50mm objective, or the 4-16x50 with MSR reticle. So, I will be eventually moving towards the S&B 5-25 with MSR on all my rifles.
 
Re: What's Your Scope for Tac Competition Bolt Gun?

I've used.

Nightforce 5-25x56 MOA/MOA
Nightforce 5-25x56 mil/mil
Nightforce 3-15x50 mil/mil F1 FFP
Premier 5-25x56 mil/mil FFP
Bushnell HDMR 3-21x50 mil/mil FFP.

I liked them all, I used the F1 in the most matches. it's a great and tough scope. I've been using the HDMR, and I like it as well. FFP was a big help for me, but really I just got better as I went down the road, so I can't say off hand which was best.

The Premier had the best glass for sure.
 
Re: What's Your Scope for Tac Competition Bolt Gun?

I have never seen these.
Nightforce 5-25x56 MOA/MOA
Nightforce 5-25x56 mil/mil
 
Re: What's Your Scope for Tac Competition Bolt Gun?

The past few years I've been using a single turn S&B 4-16x42 with the P4F reticle.
 
Re: What's Your Scope for Tac Competition Bolt Gun?

I run Bushnell DMR's with G2 reticles. I'm in Houston, but my was raised in San Antonio...visit family there once a month or so.
 
Re: What's Your Scope for Tac Competition Bolt Gun?

I use Hensoldts with the NH1 reticle. With that being said a large percentage of matches are won by guys using a 5-25 Schmidt. They are the gold standard by which every other high end scope is measured for a reason.
 
Re: What's Your Scope for Tac Competition Bolt Gun?

I'm currently running 2 HDMRs with the G2 reticle. I have used the Bushnell 4200 tactical and leupolds in the past. I like a scope that tops out in the 20-24 power range, and with FFP models you can dial back and still use the reticle without additional range math.

Steve B.
 
Re: What's Your Scope for Tac Competition Bolt Gun?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tmpohuski7</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have never seen these.
Nightforce 5-25x56 MOA/MOA
Nightforce 5-25x56 mil/mil</div></div>


Make that 5-22x56.
 
Re: What's Your Scope for Tac Competition Bolt Gun?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CUSTOM1911FAN</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> So, my question is: do you really need 20plus power on the scope and a monstrous 56mm objective to be competitive? </div></div>

Short anwer, no. I have been running a Premier Heritage 3-15 on a 243 for a few years in matches that have gone out as far as 1350 yards, no issues at all. I recently went to a Premier 5-25 and now the S&B 5-25 P4F, It is nice having the additional magnification for spotting, milling and identifying targets but most of my shooting is done in the 8-15X range. In the upper magnification range your FOV is greatly reduced, its easy to loose your target durring recoil which means you will not be able to spot impacts (hits or misses) to make corrections.
 
Re: What's Your Scope for Tac Competition Bolt Gun?

15x is "enough", but 20x is better.

25x is nice to have available., especially for milling/ranging

FFP is a huge advantage

A 56mm obj is absolutely unneeded. Big objs serve two purposes: etter low light performance, and larger exit pupil. 40mm is fine or us.

You want adjustments no coarser than 1/2 moa. 1/10mrad is perfect

Of course, zero retention and tracking are first/foremost

ETA: I've been using a PR heritage 5-25x56, which I love. However, it is a huge mofo. I'm going to get, and try a march F 3-24x44, which seems ideal for our purposes.
 
Re: What's Your Scope for Tac Competition Bolt Gun?

Bushnell 6-24 x50, g2, ffp, parallax adjustment down to 20 yards, $795.00 works great.
 
Re: What's Your Scope for Tac Competition Bolt Gun?

Well, gents. The recent AR buying frenzy has been good to me, so now, money is no object. The March scope seems like the perfect fit for my application, but lacks a Horus type reticle, which I was wanting to try.

Today, I will look at reticle choices from Premier, Schmidt, and Leupold. I am hoping the bigger Leupold MK 8 (3-24, i think) comes out soon.
 
Re: What's Your Scope for Tac Competition Bolt Gun?

I wouldn't put a Horus reticle in a tac comp rifle. Too much in there. Get a good mil or MOA based reticle with atleast .5 mil marks or 1 moa marks.

In the S&B look at the H2CMR. Been using it since last year in my 5-25x for matches and love the reticle. Does everything I need it to do.
 
Re: What's Your Scope for Tac Competition Bolt Gun?

I believe good glass is important but I believe the shooter is equally as important.

I recall watching SKRanger SMOKe the Idaho State match with a Nightforce, all of $500 worth of scope.
 
Re: What's Your Scope for Tac Competition Bolt Gun?

Anyone got a comment on the 'tunneling' effect of the Schmidt 5-25x when it is on 5x versus the newer 3-20x? Does the latter have the same issue when on low mag?
 
Re: What's Your Scope for Tac Competition Bolt Gun?

I love my USO SN3 TPAL 3.2-17x44mm with CMG MOA reticle but am really looking forward to using the SN3 ERGO 3.8-22x44mm with the same reticle.

17x_072_cmg_moa.jpg
 
Re: What's Your Scope for Tac Competition Bolt Gun?

I was running SSHD's 5-20, never went past 12 on the magnification. I am getting out of the SS's and getting into a couple of Razors. I always dialed my elevation, so not dialing will probably take getting some used to.
 
Re: What's Your Scope for Tac Competition Bolt Gun?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ArcticLight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I believe good glass is important but I believe the shooter is equally as important.

I recall watching SKRanger SMOKe the Idaho State match with a Nightforce, all of $500 worth of scope.
</div></div>

Where do we get these 500 dollar nightforce scopes?
I'll take 2.
 
Re: What's Your Scope for Tac Competition Bolt Gun?

right now i like the vortex razor ebr2b or the H2cmr in a S&B

been trying to trade out my 2 3-20's i have with a p4f into H2CMR i may have to call S&B and see if i can just swap reticles... or sell and buy new scopes.
 
Re: What's Your Scope for Tac Competition Bolt Gun?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fdkay</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ArcticLight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I believe good glass is important but I believe the shooter is equally as important.

I recall watching SKRanger SMOKe the Idaho State match with a Nightforce, all of $500 worth of scope.
</div></div>

Where do we get these 500 dollar nightforce scopes?
I'll take 2. </div></div>

lol indeed. Do tell.

I use the SSHD 5-20 and I have no complaints. Some people don't like the reticle, I don't mind it. Not too fat, don't mind the diamonds. I'm not too picky as long as I can hit what I'm aiming at
 
Re: What's Your Scope for Tac Competition Bolt Gun?

Whats nice is when i dont need 25x i just dial it down to 15-18x and when i get ready to mil etc i dial'r back up. Get 25x, its a no brainer. there when you need it not there when you dont. I just dont see the logic of not having it?
 
Re: What's Your Scope for Tac Competition Bolt Gun?

I made the mistake of getting 18x on the high end. After a couple of matches I realized I need 24x for the milling portion. I know I can practice my milling but my eyesight sucks so I need all the help I can get. Fucking lenscrafters.
 
Re: What's Your Scope for Tac Competition Bolt Gun?


Ran a Zeiss Diavari 6-24. Great optics, not great otherwise.
Changed over to 5-25x56 PMII. Great in all regards, but a heavy SOB.
 
Re: What's Your Scope for Tac Competition Bolt Gun?

Since I'm a beginner and on a budget, I went with a Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50 second focal plane.

I keep it on 12x 99% of the time when I shoot a comp at TVP. From about 250-1200 yards. I only use it on 24x when ranging or to find the 1200 yard target if I'm having difficulty finding it that day.

Even when I tried to shoot to a mile with my Creed I had it on 4 or 8x so I had enough room in the reticle to hold over and while at that low of magnification I couldn't see the target get hit I could see puffs of dust when I hit the dirt around it.

So you don't really NEED to have a scope that has 20x+ magnification but it is nice to have it available for more precise ranging, etc.
 
Re: What's Your Scope for Tac Competition Bolt Gun?

NF 5.5-25x50 MIL/MIL, MLR Reticle. Same scope on all my guns.

I like SFP and uncomplicated reticles. I do most of my shooting at 11x (half magnification) so the reticle is still useful at 2x value.

Cool thing with this scope is that the magnification range has been designed to multiply, and because it's SFP the value of the reticle goes right along with that.

5.5x, reticle is 4x value (e.g. 1 MIL now equals 4 MILS).
11x, reticle is 2x.
22x, reticle is 1x.

--Fargo007
 
Re: What's Your Scope for Tac Competition Bolt Gun?

I have:

- PH 5-25 Gen 2XR

- USO 5-25 GAP reticle

- NF 3.5-15 MLR

- NF 5-22 NPR-1

My favorite is the PH. But all else are just as good.
 
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